“The weapon of criticism cannot, of course, replace criticism by weapons, material force must be overthrown by material force; but theory also becomes a material force as soon as it has gripped the masses.”
Karl Marx[Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Law, 1844]

Sunday, 1 February 2015

Tom Reilly's Call For A Conference on Cromwell In Ireland

I would like to try to organise a
seminar/debate/conference – call it what you like – to finally determine
(inasmuch as we can from this distance) what actually happened at Drogheda and
Wexford in 1649. This is in particular regard to the deliberate massacre of
large scale unarmed and innocent civilians. I was wondering if you would be
interested in helping me get this off the ground. I have no idea where to
start.

Here’s the reason, in case you either don’t know, or
forget:

In 2004, Folens published Earthlink 5th Class. On page 87
the following words are printed: ‘Cromwell captured Drogheda. About 3,000 men,
women and children were killed.’ The Educational Company of Ireland released
Timeline in 2008. A paragraph on page 223 reads, ‘He [Cromwell] first laid
siege to Drogheda.

He was determined to make an example of the town. When he
captured it he slaughtered the entire population.’

You ALL know that this is wrong. We’re still teaching
bullshit to kids in Ireland. Bullshit that engenders anti-British sentiment.
Here in 2015! Seriously?!

As you can see I have copied several early modern experts
with this message. Many of you might consider me to be a loud-mouth, obnoxious,
insufferable loose cannon.

Which is fine. My wife and kids know who I really
am. But that's not the point. Surely historical integrity demands that we stop
the rot here. This subject is still highly emotive where I come from. Anybody
Irish will agree.

I fully expect this e-mail to be dismissed by most of you
in the same way that my work has been and continues to be. I would be happy if
you would prove me wrong.

Please help me make a positive impact on what was such a
negative part of Irish history so we can all finally move on. Because we
haven't.